CSR: Asset managers need to rethink governance

Companies with good corporate governance outperformed those without by some 24 basis points a month, according to a study released in November by asset manager Hermes. The research looked at the impact of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors on equity returns in the MSCI World Index from December 31, 2008 to June 30, 2018.

Good governance provided the biggest uptick in shareholder value of all factors, despite it seemingly being eclipsed by a focus on environmental and social issues in recent years.

How governance is viewed by asset managers is constantly evolving, says Will Oulton, director of responsible investment at First State Investments.