EU has opportunity to harness crisis to deepen economic union
By Ellie Groves and Taylor Pearce
The response from the European Commission after the 2008 financial crisis was slow and partial. Having learned from these missteps, the European Union’s response to Covid-19 was swift. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has posed yet another crisis. The EU has an opportunity to harness these crises to implement much-needed reform within its institutions and member states.
THE WEEKEND REVIEW
Latest opinion and analysis from OMFIF around the world
21-25 March 2022, Vol.13 Ed.12
Most-read Commentary
Sunak’s Spring Statement neglects those most hurt by inflation: Covid-19 and now the Ukraine war have materially reduced Britain’s real national income and we are all worse off. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak claimed to address the cost-of-living crisis on 23 March in his Spring Statement. For impoverished households, entirely dependent on welfare benefits and...
Wednesday 23 March 2022 – Vol.13 Ed.12.3
Commentary: Russia’s economy may be much smaller than reported
By Miroslav Singer in Prague
Many famous acts of aggression are motivated by the need to divert the attention of citizens away from domestic economic problems. So in that sense, Kremlin aggression in Ukraine was unexpected, given that Russia’s economy appeared to be successfully overcoming the pandemic, having regained its pre-Covid-19 level by mid-2021. However, official Russian gross domestic...
Central banks may worsen crisis with short-run policy changes
Tuesday 15 February 2022 – Vol.13 Ed.7.2
Commentary: Beware central bankers on monetarist war path
By Meghnad Desai in London
Somehow the world has got through Covid-19, but no one knows how to tackle the next double crisis. Given this uncertainty, it’s surprising that developed countries have shown signs of rushing back to the ‘old normal’. Central banks seem ready to march down the monetarist warpath. But, if they do that, they may...
IUA survey shows climate risk is top London Market challenge
The top challenge currently facing London market companies is climate risk, a new survey by the International Underwriting Association has revealed. In a survey of its members the organisation recorded 27% of respondents mentioning climate change and wider environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues when asked what are the top three challenges facing your company? The second most popular answer was regulatory change...
Carrier Further Strengthens Electric Transport Refrigeration Capabilities through Strategic Alliance with ConMet
Alliance advances Carrier’s zero-emission transport refrigeration solutions
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla., Jan. 26, 2022 — Carrier is further expanding its electrification capabilities through a new alliance with ConMet adding wheel-based power generation that captures energy that otherwise would be wasted during braking events. The alliance also advances Carrier’s broader zero-emission...
Everybody loses in debate over Georgieva’s tenure, Inflation might break Brexit’s political magic, and more
THE WEEKEND REVIEW Latest opinion and analysis from OMFIF around the world
11-15 October 2021, Vol.12 Ed.41
Most-Read Commentary
Everybody loses in debate over Georgieva’s tenure: IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva will continue in her role following allegations of data manipulation while at the World Bank. But this will tarnish more than Georgieva’s reputation. It has long been...
Green bonds playing increasingly important role in post-Covid-19 world
Friday 15 October 2021 Vol.12 Ed.41.5
Commentary: Bonds pack a bigger green punch than equities
By Jon Macaskill in New York
The huge demand for a £10bn inaugural green gilt issue from the UK underscores that bonds are better positioned to accelerate change in sustainable finance than equities. While investors are showing enormous appetite for ESG debt, they face some issues in comparing different assets because of ongoing...
Investors must be more critical of ESG funds, Georgieva to keep IMF role
Wednesday 13 October 2021 – Vol.12 Ed.41.3
Commentary: Over half of ‘low-carbon’ ESG funds are exaggerating claims
By John Plender in London
Investors around the world have an insatiable urge to invest in environmental, social and governance-orientated funds. Yet whether these funds will deliver on the ESG promise is another matter. Fund management groups have commercial imperatives as well as fiduciary obligations. That can...
The rise of shareholder influence in active ownership strategies
Wednesday 25 August 2021 – Vol.12 Ed.34.3
Commentary: Shareholder influence is changing active ownership
By Stephen Gilmore in Auckland
OMFIF’s Global Public Investor 2021 survey found that pension funds are leading the way on ESG integration, exclusions and active ownership strategies. Stephen Gilmore, chief investment officer of the New Zealand Super Fund, explains how their approach to active ownership varies by asset class, making...