Lonsec Research has strengthened its focus on the environmental, social and governance (ESG) and socially responsible investing (SRI) sectors and established a dedicated product coverage and analysis within that space.
The new research focus would be driven by Steve Sweeney as the general manager – ESG/SRI and emerging market research.
Although the company had been providing research coverage on the SRI and emerging market sectors for a number of years, it saw the growth in ESG as an investment approach and a growing role of ESG factors as a source of alpha in investment management.
Also, according to Lonsec, choice had significantly increased within the SRI sector over recent years, with fund managers incorporating more ESG factors into their investment process.
Lonsec Research’s chief executive, Matt Olsen, said: “By formalising and expanding our ESG and emerging markets research capabilities, we are recognising the growing importance of these sectors, both in terms of financial product expansion and the impact they are having within the investment community”.
“We believe emerging market research will be a key long-term growth area in financial product issuance, and it fits well with ESG given that governance remains a key risk area in many developing economies.
“Steve has made a very substantial contribution to Lonsec Research over many years, and his experience and expertise will add real value to this sector.”
