Founder of Antler Capital

Stanley Tsai, CFA

Macroeconomics

<ul>
<li>The recent rollout of a tax-deferred individual pension scheme marks a pivotal moment in the country's preparation for seismic shifts in its demographics.</li>
<li>The transition towards Pillar 3 of the retirement system has important implications for global asset allocators' long-term China investment thesis.</li>
<li>It's still early days, but there are ways to participate in the growth of private pensions. We look at the scale of the opportunities available and the potential beneficiaries.</li>
</ul>


The recent rollout of a tax-deferred individual pension scheme marks a pivotal moment in the country's preparation for seismic shifts in its demographics.
The transition towards Pillar 3 of the retirement system has important implications for global asset allocators' long-term China investment thesis.
It's still early days, but there are ways to participate in the growth of private pensions. We look at the scale of the opportunities available and the potential beneficiaries.


China's Fledgling Pensions Market: Are You Positioned to Cash In?

European Event-Driven Analyst

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Stagecoach has agreed to a 105p cash offer from DWS (37% premium, 14.7x EV/Fwd EBIT). The board has withdrawn the prior recommendation for an all-share merger with National Express.</li>
<li>National Express could respond by increasing its offer in line with DWS's, but that would imply giving away c. 50% of the combined company, which I think unlikely.</li>
<li>The offer is not incredibly generous, but there are risks (soaring fuel prices, inflation, etc.). Gross spread is nil and the offer is likely to close.</li>
</ul>


Stagecoach has agreed to a 105p cash offer from DWS (37% premium, 14.7x EV/Fwd EBIT). The board has withdrawn the prior recommendation for an all-share merger with National Express.
National Express could respond by increasing its offer in line with DWS's, but that would imply giving away c. 50% of the combined company, which I think unlikely.
The offer is not incredibly generous, but there are risks (soaring fuel prices, inflation, etc.). Gross spread is nil and the offer is likely to close.


Alpha-Centric ESG Research

Kyle Rudden

<ul>
<li>On 23 November, the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) released a framework aimed at greater oversight and accountability of ESG ratings and data providers.</li>
<li>Generally, this is a positive for ESG investing. Implications for specific stocks, however, are still vague and depend on how regional regulators interpret and implement IOSCO's suggestions.</li>
<li>That said, one of IOSCO's concerns – conflicts of interest – could affect certain ESG ratings and data providers, especially those owned by the "Big Three" credit rating agencies.</li>
</ul>


On 23 November, the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) released a framework aimed at greater oversight and accountability of ESG ratings and data providers.
Generally, this is a positive for ESG investing. Implications for specific stocks, however, are still vague and depend on how regional regulators interpret and implement IOSCO's suggestions.
That said, one of IOSCO's concerns – conflicts of interest – could affect certain ESG ratings and data providers, especially those owned by the "Big Three" credit rating agencies.


ESG Ratings and Data Providers Subject to Greater Oversight Under IOSCO Framework

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:<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>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.

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

Germany

DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA operates as an asset management firm. The Company offers institutional and private investors a broad range of products and services which includes investment and digital solutions, equity and real estate funds, and retirement. DWS Group serves customers worldwide.

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DWS Group GmbH & Co (DWS GR)

China's Fledgling Pensions Market: Are You Positioned to Cash In?

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Stanley Tsai, CFA

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Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

ESG Ratings and Data Providers Subject to Greater Oversight Under IOSCO Framework

ESG ratings and data are largely unregulated, despite growing relevance to capital markets. That is why IOSCO decided it is time for greater...

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

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