SRI

Is the Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution unstoppable? With lightning speed, AI is reshaping industries, unlocking economic value, driving positive environmental impact, helping address social challenges – and additionally, offering compelling investment opportunities.

With the infrastructure sector poised for growth after a tumultuous period caused by the pandemic and subsequent inflationary boom, which areas could offer investment opportunities?

PFAS have been widely used for decades due to their unique properties in various domestic and industrial applications. They are resistant to water and virtually indestructible. They are also seen as the poison of the century. Where do we stand in terms of regulation? What are the PFAS-related risks? Where are the opportunities?

AI is accelerating scientific research, infrastructure development, communications and finance, as well as contributing to the fight against climate change

According to the Institute for Economics & Peace, there are 56 active conflicts in the world, the greatest number since the end of World War II. Increasingly complex geopolitics and ReArm Europe are keeping investors on our toes, analytically.

Have you heard about radiotheranostics? This new field in medicine combines diagnosis and therapy. It involves using specially designed radioactive compounds that can both identify cancer cells and deliver targeted radiation therapy to destroy them. This is one of the latest developments of precision medicine, a domain that offers fascinating prospects in both early detection and specific treatment.

Healthcare share prices tend to reflect some trepidation leading up to and shortly after the US presidential elections, yet for the last five elections the sector outperformed in the 12 months following the election.

Donald Trump’s re-election as president of the United States has sparked concerns about his potential impact on key sustainability topics, notably climate action.

China dominates the entire value chain for electric transport motors. The European Union has imposed provisional tariffs to protect its regional auto industry from ‘dumping’, or unfair pricing, of subsidized electric vehicle imports from China. Yet the EU is actively attempting to accelerate the uptake of EVs to meet its 2035 emissions targets.

Two years after the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Agreement, the progress on global biodiversity goals remains mixed. Despite commitments, a limited number of countries (44 out of 196) have submitted their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans. The parties have agreed to submit their plans as soon as possible, with a global review scheduled for COP17 and COP19.

Demographic shifts, from ageing populations to rising middle classes, present long-term, diversified investment opportunities, as these structural changes are reshaping the global economy.

Climate change may be the greatest threat to sustainability, but water vulnerability is potentially the most urgent, likely to play out in a shorter time frame.

The investment landscape is evolving against a backdrop of rising economic uncertainties and a cautious market environment, further complicated by geopolitical tensions and upcoming elections.

Kroum Sourov and Christopher Mey, portfolio managers of the sustainable emerging market debt strategy, describe the significance this type of analysis can have for a bond portfolio. They explain Candriam’s investment process, with our emphasis on relative value and risk management. This approach is intended to allow the strategy to adapt the ever-changing markets over the course of an economic cycle.

We promised you transparency. For a comprehensive discussion of our efforts and results, see our [annual] Net Zero Progress Report 2024. We frequently say that it is not just the carbon target, but the path to that target which affects the damage along the way. In this spirit, we share with you along the way our milestones for the four pillars of our Net Zero strategy.

Based on our long-standing views of the financial benefits of sustainability, we integrate some level of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) factor analysis across all our investment processes, and particularly for our sustainable investment strategies.

Les précipitations extrêmes et les sécheresses étant de plus en plus fréquentes, près de la moitié de la population mondiale est aujourd'hui confrontée à une grave pénurie d'eau pendant au moins une partie de l'année, selon les Nations unies.

In a world grappling with escalating water issues, prioritizing water as a strategic business imperative has never been more critical. The operational and financial impacts of water-related risks have started materializing. Our conviction is that companies must consider and manage water as the long-term strategic and operational risk it can represent.

While investors are encouraged to consider climate change in their portfolios, to meet regulatory requirements and mitigate climate-related risks, a number of questions remain.

Bastien Dublanc, Tanguy Cornet and Anaelle Stamatiou, managers of Candriam’s water investment strategy, explain why they invest in this theme, how they select their stocks, and what differentiates Candriam from other investment managers in this area.

Public awareness has risen on the risks posed by PFAS on health and on the environment. Business-wise, companies are facing increasing regulatory and market risks. Investors however should also be open to the potential opportunities offered by the PFAS market.

In an ever-evolving financial landscape dominated by data-driven decision-making and economic uncertainty, understanding the nuances of fixed income investing is paramount.

At Candriam, we are active owners and debtholders. We exercise our rights when we believe action can enhance long-term value for our clients and ultimate beneficiaries.

While these objectives are laudable, there are methodological obstacles. The initial objectives of Solvency II were harmonization, financial stability and policyholder protection. The text had therefore been conceived as a risk-based regulation, based on the valuation of the balance sheet on a mark-to-market basis and on capital requirements calibrated using Value at Risk (VaR) with a confidence level of 99.5%.

After a challenging period for green investing, marked by rising interest rates, supply chain issues, and overcapacity, companies committed to building a sustainable world could remain an attractive long-term option for investors seeking both financial returns and positive impact.