Alpha-Centric ESG Research

Kyle Rudden

I am an ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) analyst with an alpha-centric approach to ESG research. After all, ESG investing is, first and foremost, investing. "Alpha-centric" does not mean apathetic, however. Quite the contrary. I believe global sustainability – i.e., environmental stewardship, social equality, and economic prosperity – is imperative, and private-sector capital is its cornerstone. Private-sector capital still has fiduciary responsibilities. Profitability is necessary for sustained impact. The Triple Bottom Line. People, Planet, AND Profit.

More importantly, you. I value your investment in Smartkarma research, and commit to Insights worthy of your time and money. That means giving ASEAN ESG the attention it deserves, and with Insights that are substantive and differentiated; the intersection of material and under-covered. You can expect investigative research into emergent ESG issues; data-driven analyses of deals (pre-IPO ESG research, ESG-focused M&A consequence analyses, etc.); and trading-oriented ideas like ESG short selling and playing ESG index constituency changes.

I bring both ESG expertise and traditional investing experience, as well as some rather unique perspectives on ESG (a lesson in governance from Enron, anyone?). I spent the last decade exclusively on ESG, researching links to equity returns, credit ratings, cost of capital, and yield spreads. I also contributed to ESG reporting standards (SASB and GRI), and the MBA curriculum (Impact Investing) at the Kellogg School of Management. Previously, I was an Institutional Investor and Wall Street Journal All-Star sell-side analyst at J.P. Morgan.

Please, feel free to contact me about anything.

U.S. Elections: A Biden Win Would Mean a New U.S. Treasury Secretary (Elizabeth Warren Might Be It)

Battle Lines Drawn As BABA Builds Out First/Last-Mile Capacity; But Who Will Fund 75+ Bn CNY CapEx?

<p>Last month, I published several Insights addressing possible Biden appointments to key roles. In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/u-s-elections-a-biden-win-would-mean-a-new-u-s-treasury-secretary-elizabeth-warren-might-be-it" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44761" rel="noopener">U.S. Elections: A Biden Win Would Mean a New U.S. Treasury Secretary (Elizabeth Warren Might Be It)</a>, I suggested Senator Elizabeth Warrant as the top contender for U.S. Treasury Secretary.</p><p>Well, I got that one wrong (although I did mention Janet Yellen as a possible pick). Recently, Biden announced former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen as Secretary of the U.S. Treasury. This report is a quick update, addressing why Yellen is a better pick, especially in these times, for two reasons:</p><ol>
<li>Yellen understands the connect between the coronavirus pandemic and the economy and might the person to help break the Congressional deadlock on passing additional stimulus aid.</li>
<li>Yellen is a known-entity for Wall Street, appreciated for a "no-surprises" approach and views on removing trade barriers. Preferable to Wall Street over Warren's far-left, pro-regulation views.</li>
</ol>

Last month, I published several Insights addressing possible Biden appointments to key roles. In U.S. Elections: A Biden Win Would Mean a New U.S. Treasury Secretary (Elizabeth Warren Might Be It), I suggested Senator Elizabeth Warrant as the top contender for U.S. Treasury Secretary.Well, I got that one wrong (although I did mention Janet Yellen as a possible pick). Recently, Biden announced former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen as Secretary of the U.S. Treasury. This report is a quick update, addressing why Yellen is a better pick, especially in these times, for two reasons:
Yellen understands the connect between the coronavirus pandemic and the economy and might the person to help break the Congressional deadlock on passing additional stimulus aid.
Yellen is a known-entity for Wall Street, appreciated for a "no-surprises" approach and views on removing trade barriers. Preferable to Wall Street over Warren's far-left, pro-regulation views.


Janet Yellen As U.S. Treasury Secretary Is Good Economic Recovery and Wall Street

JPMorgan Chase & Co

Janet Yellen As U.S. Treasury Secretary Is Good Economic Recovery and Wall Street