ESG & Sustainability

Gender diversity in corporate leadership is no longer a peripheral ESG theme but is increasingly linked to measurable business outcomes. The DAX Women Leadership index, which has outperformed the DAX benchmark by an annualized 300 basis points since 2018, seeks to provide both an underlying for investment products and an engagement tool for investors.

Global equity indices resumed gains in April, regaining record highs as strong corporate earnings offset volatility in interest rates and oil prices.

Global benchmarks had their worst month since September 2022 in March as the conflict in Iran drove a surge in oil prices and sparked fears of higher interest rates.

What does a portfolio of global water champions look like from a sustainability perspective? To answer this question, this Perspectives report draws on deep datasets from ISS Sustainability Solutions to derive several analytical takeaways of the Future Water ESG portfolio.

Changes are part of the March regular review of the DAX 50 ESG, DAX 50 ESG+, DAX 30 ESG, DAX ESG Target, DAX ESG Screened, MDAX ESG+, MDAX ESG Screened and DAX indices.

A rotation out of technology and AI-related stocks weighed on US indices in February, while inflows into lower-valuation, more traditional sectors lifted European benchmarks for an eighth straight month.

Stocks rose in January on optimism that global economic growth will continue to support corporate earnings. Emerging-market indices advanced as the US dollar weakened, while basic-resources stocks jumped alongside metal prices.

Devised in 2020, the European Union’s Climate Transition Benchmarks (CTBs) and Paris-aligned Benchmarks (PABs) were designed to support climate goals that have continued to evolve since then. In response, the indices’ methodologies have recently been updated to reflect shifting priorities and real-world developments.

In its third year of existence, the iShares EURO STOXX 50 ESG ETF offers exposure to a core Eurozone benchmark minus controversial business activities. Sophie Thurner, ETF Product Strategist at BlackRock, explains how the ESG ETF fits in investors’ portfolios and how its underlying index has adapted to evolving regulation.

The Deka STOXX Future Water ESG UCITS ETF was launched today and tracks the STOXX Future Water ESG index. The strategy allows investors to participate in opportunities linked to this scarce natural resource and the forward-looking investment theme it underpins.

STOXX Ltd. today announced the expansion of its collaboration with Deka Investment GmbH (“Deka”), with the launch of an ETF targeting companies leading in water management and innovation.

European stocks helped drive global indices to a monthly gain in December, capping a third straight year of double-digit returns on expectations of sustained economic growth.