Alpha-Centric ESG Research

Kyle Rudden

<ul>
<li>In a recent Insight, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/regulating-esg-ratings-in-india-outline-of-sebi-s-proposed-regulatory-framework" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:64468" rel="noopener">Regulating ESG Ratings in India: Outline of SEBI's Proposed Regulatory Framework</a>, I summarised SEBI's proposed regulatory framework for ESG ratings in India. </li>
<li>This Insight goes a bit further, looking at implications of regulation on stocks of ESG ratings providers (ERPs), especially Credit Rating Agencies (CRAs) and Research Analysts (RAs).</li>
<li>Downside risk are minimal for ERPs, but a few scenarios and stipulations related to conflicts of interest and compensation (how ERPs are paid, and by whom) could have an impact.</li>
</ul>


In a recent Insight, Regulating ESG Ratings in India: Outline of SEBI's Proposed Regulatory Framework, I summarised SEBI's proposed regulatory framework for ESG ratings in India. 
This Insight goes a bit further, looking at implications of regulation on stocks of ESG ratings providers (ERPs), especially Credit Rating Agencies (CRAs) and Research Analysts (RAs).
Downside risk are minimal for ERPs, but a few scenarios and stipulations related to conflicts of interest and compensation (how ERPs are paid, and by whom) could have an impact.


Credit Rating Agency Stocks Most Impacted by SEBI Regulation of ESG Ratings in India

<ul>
<li>After its IPO, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lg-energy-solution" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33464:1" rel="noopener">LG Energy Solution (LGENERGY KS)</a> is destined for inclusion in various indexes, from broad market indexes to countless sustainable/ESG niche indexes.</li>
<li>The sustainable/ESG index niche includes a growing number of EV/EV battery-themes indexes in large part because of the climate-importance of decarbonising transportation.</li>
<li>Indexing leader <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/msci-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17865:1" rel="noopener">MSCI (MSCI US)</a> publishes a number general sustainable/ESG indexes relevant to LGES, and small number of thematic indexes like the Future Mobility Index.</li>
</ul>


After its IPO, LG Energy Solution (LGENERGY KS) is destined for inclusion in various indexes, from broad market indexes to countless sustainable/ESG niche indexes.
The sustainable/ESG index niche includes a growing number of EV/EV battery-themes indexes in large part because of the climate-importance of decarbonising transportation.
Indexing leader MSCI (MSCI US) publishes a number general sustainable/ESG indexes relevant to LGES, and small number of thematic indexes like the Future Mobility Index.


LG Energy Solution (Pre-IPO ESG Analysis): Relevant Thematic Sustainable/ESG Indices from MSCI

<p>In a recently published report (<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/cop26-u-n-climate-conference-to-address-mitigation-financing-and-carbon-pricing" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:59779" rel="noopener">COP26: U.N. Climate Conference to Address Mitigation, Financing, and Carbon Pricing</a>) I mentioned how the COP26 international climate conference (31 October to 12 November) will have far-reaching implications for global capital markets and investing.</p><p>That Insight was largely about the COP26 conference itself – background, objectives, three critical agenda items with trillions of dollars at stake, and that will influence global financial markets from today (headlines coming out of the conference) through the end of this century.</p><p>That report was necessary context for this Insight and others that will follow; successively deeper dives into country-specific climate action plans, and investment themes and trading ideas around the COP26 conference and climate change in general. This is the first of those follow-up reports.</p><p>Herein, I present a brief overview of investment themes and angles directly linked to the three key COP26 agenda items: 1) mitigation of global warming, 2) climate finance, and 3) the development of international carbon markets and pricing mechanisms. Themes and subthemes such as:</p><ul>
<li>
<strong>Climate Transition:</strong> "Green" utilities, renewable energy, cleantech, electric vehicles and other areas of smart mobility, green buildings, and related. The "<em>buy solar, sell coal</em>" kinds of stuff.</li>
<li>
<strong>Climate Financing:</strong> Financial sector stocks poised to benefit from climate change mitigation, reduced risk from portfolio debarbonisation, and new inflows into sustainable/ESG funds.</li>
<li>
<strong>Carbon Markets:</strong> Pure-play (or close thereto) carbon capture and storage/sequestration (CCS) stocks, plus a few financial sector overlaps (e.g., related to carbon markets, futures, etc.)</li>
</ul>

In a recently published report (COP26: U.N. Climate Conference to Address Mitigation, Financing, and Carbon Pricing) I mentioned how the COP26 international climate conference (31 October to 12 November) will have far-reaching implications for global capital markets and investing.That Insight was largely about the COP26 conference itself – background, objectives, three critical agenda items with trillions of dollars at stake, and that will influence global financial markets from today (headlines coming out of the conference) through the end of this century.That report was necessary context for this Insight and others that will follow; successively deeper dives into country-specific climate action plans, and investment themes and trading ideas around the COP26 conference and climate change in general. This is the first of those follow-up reports.Herein, I present a brief overview of investment themes and angles directly linked to the three key COP26 agenda items: 1) mitigation of global warming, 2) climate finance, and 3) the development of international carbon markets and pricing mechanisms. Themes and subthemes such as:

Climate Transition: "Green" utilities, renewable energy, cleantech, electric vehicles and other areas of smart mobility, green buildings, and related. The "buy solar, sell coal" kinds of stuff.

Climate Financing: Financial sector stocks poised to benefit from climate change mitigation, reduced risk from portfolio debarbonisation, and new inflows into sustainable/ESG funds.

Carbon Markets: Pure-play (or close thereto) carbon capture and storage/sequestration (CCS) stocks, plus a few financial sector overlaps (e.g., related to carbon markets, futures, etc.)


COP26: An Overview of Investment Themes and Catalysts Related to COP26 Conference

<p>Two days ago the U.K. Financial Reporting Council announced 125 successful signatories (aka "not greenwashers") to the revised U.K. Stewardship Code. Signatories are integrating stewardship and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) factors into investment decisions, to high standards.</p><p>Whilst this is ostensibly limited to U.K. pension assets, ramifications are more far-reaching than it might at first appear (one indication is the number of North American and Asia Pacific signatories, in addition to the expected European names). More specifically, the broad relevance is because it:</p><ul>
<li>Affects firms doing business with U.K. asset managers/owners not just the managers/owners.</li>
<li>Is a quasi-blueprint for similar anti-greenwashing initiatives taking root in the U.S. and Asia.</li>
<li>Greenwashing is having an increasing impact on stocks prices (e.g., DWS Group last month).</li>
</ul><p>This is one battle in an emerging global war on greenwashing. The U.S. SEC has its own agenda to fight greenwashing and Asia isn't far behind (e.g., regulators in Japan stepping up scrutiny). There is more to come, and a lot to learn from this including who is (and <em>is not</em>) on the signatory list.</p>

Two days ago the U.K. Financial Reporting Council announced 125 successful signatories (aka "not greenwashers") to the revised U.K. Stewardship Code. Signatories are integrating stewardship and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) factors into investment decisions, to high standards.Whilst this is ostensibly limited to U.K. pension assets, ramifications are more far-reaching than it might at first appear (one indication is the number of North American and Asia Pacific signatories, in addition to the expected European names). More specifically, the broad relevance is because it:
Affects firms doing business with U.K. asset managers/owners not just the managers/owners.
Is a quasi-blueprint for similar anti-greenwashing initiatives taking root in the U.S. and Asia.
Greenwashing is having an increasing impact on stocks prices (e.g., DWS Group last month).
This is one battle in an emerging global war on greenwashing. The U.S. SEC has its own agenda to fight greenwashing and Asia isn't far behind (e.g., regulators in Japan stepping up scrutiny). There is more to come, and a lot to learn from this including who is (and is not) on the signatory list.

The War on Greenwashing: UK Stewardship Code "Successful Signatories" Has Broader Implications

Smartkarma Research Team, Smartkarma

Smartkarma Research

Smartkarma Research Team

Smartkarma

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Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<p>For our next Webinar, we welcome Insight Provider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/stanley-tsai-cfa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:1116" rel="noopener">Stanley Tsai, CFA</a>, who will present his views on positioning in China financials for the remainder of 2021 in the face of a slowing economy, renewed concerns over Covid-19, and asset quality challenges.</p><div><div><h3>The webinar will be hosted on Wednesday, 18 August 2021, 17:00 SGT/HKT.</h3></div></div><div><div>
<div class="content-highlight"><h2><a href="https://share.hsforms.com/1H9pFZOB-RF2J00kbvMmxcw2c5gj?zoom_webinar_id=82322164524" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Register for the Webinar here</a></h2></div>
<p>Stanley Tsai has over two decades' experience as a financials specialist across equities and fixed income. He is currently an advisor to a private investment fund and a non-executive director of a US VC fund.</p>
</div></div>

For our next Webinar, we welcome Insight Provider Stanley Tsai, CFA, who will present his views on positioning in China financials for the remainder of 2021 in the face of a slowing economy, renewed concerns over Covid-19, and asset quality challenges.The webinar will be hosted on Wednesday, 18 August 2021, 17:00 SGT/HKT.
Register for the Webinar here
Stanley Tsai has over two decades' experience as a financials specialist across equities and fixed income. He is currently an advisor to a private investment fund and a non-executive director of a US VC fund.


Smartkarma Webinar | China Banks: Silver Linings Playbook

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S&P Global Inc. provides clients with financial information services. The Company offers information regarding ratings, benchmarks, and analytics in the global capital and commodity markets. S&P Global operates worldwide.

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Credit Rating Agency Stocks Most Impacted by SEBI Regulation of ESG Ratings in India

The potential impacts of SEBI's proposed framework for regulating ESG ratings are unclear at this stage, but a few things (related to conflicts of...

Kyle Rudden

LG Energy Solution (Pre-IPO ESG Analysis): Relevant Thematic Sustainable/ESG Indices from MSCI

LG Energy Solution is destined for inclusion in countless indexes, from broad market indexes to thematic sustainable/ESG indexes such as MSCI's...

Kyle Rudden

The War on Greenwashing: UK Stewardship Code "Successful Signatories" Has Broader Implications

Telegraph from European front in global war on greenwashing. U.K. names stewardship victors ("not greenwashers"). Many notable casualties. Anti...

Kyle Rudden

Smartkarma Webinar | China Banks: Silver Linings Playbook

Join us on 18 August, 5pm SGT, as we welcome Stanley Tsai, CFA, who will present his views on positioning in China financials in the face of a...

Smartkarma Research

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Credit Rating Agency Stocks Most Impacted by SEBI Regulation of ESG Ratings in India

The potential impacts of SEBI's proposed framework for regulating ESG ratings are unclear at this stage, but a few things (related to conflicts of...

Kyle Rudden

LG Energy Solution (Pre-IPO ESG Analysis): Relevant Thematic Sustainable/ESG Indices from MSCI

LG Energy Solution is destined for inclusion in countless indexes, from broad market indexes to thematic sustainable/ESG indexes such as MSCI's...

Kyle Rudden

COP26: An Overview of Investment Themes and Catalysts Related to COP26 Conference

COP26, the climate conference happening now, will impact global capital markets. Perhaps over the next two weeks, depending on headlines, but...

Kyle Rudden

The War on Greenwashing: UK Stewardship Code "Successful Signatories" Has Broader Implications

Telegraph from European front in global war on greenwashing. U.K. names stewardship victors ("not greenwashers"). Many notable casualties. Anti...

Kyle Rudden

Smartkarma Webinar | China Banks: Silver Linings Playbook

Join us on 18 August, 5pm SGT, as we welcome Stanley Tsai, CFA, who will present his views on positioning in China financials in the face of a...

Smartkarma Research