Search results for the keyword: sustainability
Short-term opportunities or long-term trends – why not both?
Investing in the major trends of the future while taking advantage of short-term market opportunities – the new mixed fund ERSTE OPPORTUNITIES MIX makes this possible. Alexander Lechner, Head of Multi Asset Management, explains the concept behind the fund in an interview.
The miracle forest and why we need to protect it
The forest ecosystem is not only an important carbon store, but also a habitat for a variety of plants and creatures. In this interview, Robert Pröll, farmer, national park ranger, and speaker at this year’s sustainability conference, explains why we need to protect the “miracle of the forest” more than ever in the fight against the climate crisis.
At the pulse of opportunity – new mixed fund about to launch!
Combining long-term trend themes with short and medium-term market opportunities: The new broadly diversified mixed fund ERSTE OPPORTUNITIES MIX makes this possible with its active and flexible approach.
Sustainable finance initiatives – a jumble of letters or effective multi-stakeholder approaches?
Sustainable finance is a dynamic process that aims to make the financial system sustainable. In his guest article, Michael Schmidt, member of the Sustainable Finance Advisory Board of the German Federal Government, explains why the many different initiatives on the topic of sustainable finance are needed and which three points are necessary for the sustainable transformation of our financial system.
Socially sustainable investment – how does it work?
Investing sustainably in companies with a social impact – this is possible with the ERSTE FAIR INVEST equity fund. In this interview, fund manager Bernhard Selinger explains how he finds socially sustainable companies for the portfolio and why a sustainable strategy is also good for the company’s success.
EVs: Industry plans to drive sales with price reductions, compact models, and new batteries
Even though the car industry continues to focus on e-cars, demand has recently stalled somewhat. In addition to the major car manufacturers, more and more tech companies are entering the market. Meanwhile, a new hope for the future is emerging in the field of battery technology.
Green technologies: US elections as showstopper?
The Inflation Reduction Act has triggered billions of dollars of investment in green technologies in the USA. Are the subsidies and tax breaks for renewable energies at risk in view of the upcoming US election? Clemens Klein, fund manager of ERSTE GREEN INVEST, provides some answers.
World Water Day: the (scarce) blue gold
Droughts and water shortages are also increasing in Europe – what can be done about them? When investing, it certainly makes sense to take a close look at the water risks of companies. If you want to go one step further, you can also specifically integrate the topic of water into your portfolio.
Best of Charts: Warm-up for the US election
The US presidential election in November is already casting its shadow. What impact could the outcome of the election have on share prices and how is the US economy performing in general.
Pharma industry continues to profit from booming weight loss drugs
The boom in weight loss products has long since spread to the stock markets. While the shares of pharmaceutical companies Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are benefiting from the high demand, other industry giants are also looking to follow. However, experts are also warning of possible side effects of the drugs, which were originally developed to treat diabetes.
Is this time different?
The risk premiums on corporate bonds are close to their lows. What are the reasons? Is a correction imminent or is everything perhaps completely different on the bond market this time?
AI Boom Yields Strong Quarterly Gains for US Tech Giants
The topic of artificial intelligence continues to flourish on the stock market. The US chip company Nvidia recently attracted attention with another strong set of quarterly figures. How did the rest of the “Magnificent Seven” fare in the reporting season and what are the plans of the tech giants in the AI sector?
Money tip: Are biotechnology stocks at the outset of a new upswing?
Biotechnology stocks have been back in the spotlight since the beginning of the year. Successes in research and market approvals for new drugs could provide fresh impetus. Is the sector worth a look now?
Corporate bonds – Why emerging markets are worth a look
Fund manager Thomas Oposich explains in an interview what makes investments in emerging market bonds interesting and which sectors and companies he considers promising.
Stock market at all-time high: What are the reasons?
Several important stock indices have recently reached new record highs. What are the reasons for the positive sentiment, what could move the markets this year and what about the much-cited Magnificent 7?
Global Economy: IMF with more positive outlook
According to the IMF, the global economy could grow more strongly than expected this year. In the US and China, the economy is likely to remain robust, although growth in the People’s Republic is likely to weaken. The experts are less optimistic about the German economy.
🍋 Dividend basics for shareholders
An increasing number of investors, when selecting shares, do not only focus on share price performance, but also on a stable, high dividend – for good reason.
Money tip: Invest in Japanese stocks
Following the recent gains in the Japanese benchmark index, the stock market of the world’s third-largest economy could be worth a look. What is the state of the economy and monetary policy in the “Land of the Rising Sun” and how can investors invest in Japanese stocks?
Climate Score: How we can identify sustainable leaders and laggards
In order to further improve sustainable company analysis, the Responsible Investments team at Erste Asset Management developed the Climate Score last year. The score combines various environmental data to identify the sustainable leaders and laggards in each economic sector. Read the blog post to find out how the score works and what it can be used for.
US elections 2024: The United States and its debt
In 2024, all eyes on the financial markets are also focused on the US elections in November. After years of expansionary fiscal policy, the debt situation in the United States is also coming back into focus in the run-up to the elections. What are the political and economic implications of the growing budget deficit?
Norway: Visiting sustainable portfolio companies
Norway has the largest oil reserves in Europe. Nevertheless, the Scandinavian country is considered a pioneer in the use of renewable energies. There are also many companies in the industrial sector that are working on sustainable value creation. Fund manager Markus Gruber visited some sustainable companies from the portfolios of the impact funds ERSTE WWF STOCK ENVIRONMENT and ERSTE GREEN INVEST.
How can I as an investor benefit optimally from structural changes?
Megatrends are long-term developments that not only change the financial markets, but also global economic and social life. As an investor, you can benefit from these trends, especially with a long-term investment horizon, provided you are aware of the risks and opportunities of such a strategy. Find out which structural changes could shape the markets in the future and thus offer opportunities for investors in the blog post.
Capital markets outlook 2024: good opportunities in the US election year
After a difficult market year in 2022, many asset classes performed much better this year. The outlook for the coming year 2024 is also positive – the central banks’ turnaround in interest rates has brought about a return to normality on the bond market and, with the rise in yields, is also opening up new opportunities for investors. At the same time, the ongoing geopolitical tensions in particular pose a challenge. With the improved yield opportunities for bonds, mixed funds are also coming back into focus.
FNG Label: 17 top marks for our sustainable funds
Strict criteria, a clear investment process, and many years of expertise pay off, as illustrated by our results in this year’s award of the FNG Label by Forum Nachhaltige Geldanlagen (FNG; Forum for Sustainable Investments). All 17 funds submitted by Erste Asset Management were awarded the quality label for sustainable investment funds, capturing the top rating of three stars.
Soft-landing optimism might be in for some disappointment
The financial environment has become slightly more relaxed since the beginning of November. This fact is manifesting itself on the market in the form of falling yields and rising share prices. This week, two indicators relating to the US economy in particular could provide clues as to the sustainability of this trend since the beginning of the month: retail sales and consumer prices.
Holiday sales: Hopes for record season in the US
The robust labor market and many special offers give hope for another record Christmas season in the USA. The latest market research data also shows that, despite inflation and high interest rates, Americans are once again planning to spend more over the holidays this year.
Phillips curve: Is there a risk of structurally higher inflation?
Inflation rose sharply in 2021 due to several supply shocks. Although there is a clear downward trend. However, the supply shocks could also have a structural effect on inflation. A look at the Phillips curve model can shed light on this.
Biodiversity, climate change, and planetary boundaries
Recent studies have provided insights into the challenges to human prosperity resulting from the climate and biodiversity crises. The main conclusions are that the world is currently not on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in time, nor the Climate Change Goals or those on biodiversity.
Erste Group publishes first Climate Report
In the Climate Report, published for the first time this year, Erste Group reports on progress, targets and measures towards a net-zero emissions portfolio by 2050 and net-zero operations by 2030. Climate risks and their impacts are also a topic.
Megatrends on the equity market
Megatrends are long-term developments that have the potential to decisively change various industries and markets. We explain how investors can participate in these developments.
Biotechnology shares ready to stage a comeback?
In the first half of 2023, growth shares – and as such, also the biotechnology sector – came under pressure as investors were pivoting towards value shares. But the signs are changing. The possible high in interest rates in Europe and the USA could boost biotech shares again, as ERSTE STOCK BIOTEC fund manager Harald Kober explains in an interview.
Sustainable investments: fad or long-term trend?
With a view to the Ukraine war, the multiple regions of crisis or the extreme inflation, one would be forgiven for thinking that sustainability issues were taking a back seat when it came to investing. Gerold Permoser, Chief Investment Officer of Erste Asset Management, claims that this is not the case and that there is a lot of potential for investors. In a recent press talk, he and Heinz Bednar, CEO, presented five key drivers for ESG investments.
A Tale of Two Companies: Bayer’s Biodiversity Conundrum with Monsanto
In 2018, Bayer acquired the US agrochemical and agricultural chemicals company Monsanto. However, the deal, valued at around USD 64 billion, raised a number of questions. As a result of the merger, Bayer has since found itself responsible for a number of controversial practices of the US company. This is associated not only with sustainability risks but also with a potential risk of billions through various class actions.
Microfinance – Fund Manager Martin Cech on an investor trip to Uzbekistan (Part II)
Microfinance fund manager Martin Cech recently went on an investor trip to Uzbekistan. While he wrote about the banks and microfinance institutions he visited in the first part of his travel report, he describes his impressions of the visits to some borrowers in the second part.
Microfinance – Fund Manager Martin Cech on an investor trip to Uzbekistan (Part I)
Martin Cech, fund manager of ERSTE RESPONSIBLE MICROFINANCE, visited a number of banks and microfinance institutions from the fund’s portfolio during an investor trip to Uzbekistan. He reports on his impressions in the blog post.
Why biodiversity is on your agenda!
The biodiversity of our planet provides the basis for life and the economy. The crisis facing global biodiversity puts quality of life and health at risk, as well as prosperity and economic development. Companies can also act and take measures. After all, biodiversity is on everyone’s agenda.
Biodiversity is the next big thing for investments after climate change
The regulatory environment for biodiversity-related risks is constantly changing. Investments in companies that are well prepared will benefit from this trend. Such companies prove to be robust in dealing with new regulations. Biodiversity risks need to be carefully analysed to protect not only investors’ assets but also Mother Earth.
E-vehicles boom unbroken
The automotive industry is slowly regaining momentum after the pandemic and supply bottlenecks. E-Vehicles are experiencing a real boom. How can you profit as an investor?
Economy in Japan growing again
The economy in Japan emerged from recession in the first quarter. Several important economic indicators signal an upswing after the Corona crisis and the Japanese benchmark index Nikkei also rose steadily recently.
Benefit from the megatrend Artificial Intelligence with equities
The megatrend of artificial intelligence is also on everyone’s lips on the financial markets. Some companies from the AI sector have posted significant gains in their stock price so far this year. We show you with which investments you can profit from the AI boom and what you need to bear in mind.
ERSTE BOND EM CORPORATE becomes sustainable: Interview with fund manager Péter Varga
ERSTE BOND EM CORPORATE becomes part of our sustainable Integration fund family. Péter Varga discusses what this sustainable change means for him as a fund manager and what it changes in his investment process.
Demystifying the greenness of funds
The taxonomy alignment of a fund is comparable to the nutritional information of food. Investors can thus find out transparently to what extent a fund invests in “green activities”. Find out more about taxonomy alignment and how we manage it in our funds in the blog post by Analyst Hebing Dong.
Elections in Greece – an end to the never ending story?
The Greek sovereign debt crisis is now more than 10 years old. Many observers saw this event as the starting point of a never-ending story. However, if one looks at the recent past, Greece convinced with positive aspects. Many see the upcoming parliamentary elections on May 21 as the last major obstacle to regaining the country’s investment grade rating.
Voting – Impacting companies through voting rights?
By submitting shareholder proposals at annual general meetings and exercising voting rights, investors can lobby companies to take measures in the direction of social responsibility, environmental protection or better transparency. In the previous year, Erste AM exercised its voting rights at 495 companies. In the blog post, we show what this entails using three examples.
Funds in focus: World Fund Day 2023
On 19 April, the Austrian financial sector once again focuses on funds. And for good reason: funds provide easy access to the investment markets and are suitable for retirement provision and investment.
Five pieces of advice for saving with a fund savings plan
Putting money aside is important. But it is equally important for said money to potentially earn a return. This is where the fund savings plan comes in.
How our ESGenius App helps us to track engagements
With our self-developed “ESGenius” App, we can track and document our ESG activities such as engagements. Two current examples show how the app helps us improve our ESG performance.
The carbon footprint and how we measure it
Since 2018, Erste Asset Management calculates the carbon footprint of the entire fund range. Find out how we go about the calculation and how our funds compare to the overall market in the blog post.
World Water Day: by far more than “just” a vital resource
On World Water Day today, we are publishing the water footprint of our sustainable funds for the seventh time. Problems such as water shortages and the decline in groundwater levels have now also reached Europe. This makes it all the more important for companies to use our water resources responsibly and manage water risks sustainably.
A sustainable story of success
In July, the ERSTE RESPONSIBLE STOCK GLOBAL fund will celebrate its 20th anniversary. During its history so far, the fund has achieved a highly successful performance while the world of sustainable investments has changed fundamentally.