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

Financials & FinTech research, Galliano’s Financials Research

Victor Galliano

Financials & FinTech research

Financials & FinTech, EM & Developed Markets

Galliano’s Financials Research

Galliano's Financials Research provides fundamental research in Emerging Markets financials, including FinTech, as well as financials in select Developed Markets.

The investment style applied is generally value oriented, although Growth At Reasonable Price (GARP) strategies can also be used where appropriate. 

Our investment research approach aim is often contrarian, looking to capitalise on overly sceptical or optimistic consensus views. In terms of valuation techniques, the focus is on PBV ratio to ROE, PE multiples and dividend yield, as well as the application of PEG ratios and, where appropriate, Sum of the Parts (SOTP) valuations.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Among EM banks, our top picks are Sberbank in Russia, Banco do Brasil and HDFC Bank in India; we are negative on recent IPO Nubank due to inflated market expectations</li>
<li>Our top picks for 2022 are BBVA and Banco BPM for Southern Europe banks. In Exchanges, we are positive on B3 of Brazil and SGX</li>
<li>In payments, we like Mastercard and Pagseguro, but we are negative on Paytm; we see BTG Pactual as an attractive pick and winner in the digital wealth managers and brokers</li>
</ul>


Among EM banks, our top picks are Sberbank in Russia, Banco do Brasil and HDFC Bank in India; we are negative on recent IPO Nubank due to inflated market expectations
Our top picks for 2022 are BBVA and Banco BPM for Southern Europe banks. In Exchanges, we are positive on B3 of Brazil and SGX
In payments, we like Mastercard and Pagseguro, but we are negative on Paytm; we see BTG Pactual as an attractive pick and winner in the digital wealth managers and brokers


2022 High Conviction Ideas in FinTech & Financials

<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

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

United States

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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S&P Global (SPGI US)

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

2022 High Conviction Ideas in FinTech & Financials

Our 2022 high conviction ideas include buys on Sberbank, Banco do Brasil and HDFC Bank, as well as BBVA, Banco BPM, B3, SGX, Mastercard and...

Victor Galliano

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

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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

2022 High Conviction Ideas in FinTech & Financials

Our 2022 high conviction ideas include buys on Sberbank, Banco do Brasil and HDFC Bank, as well as BBVA, Banco BPM, B3, SGX, Mastercard and...

Victor Galliano

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

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