ESG on the rise and key to unlocking Emerging Markets

Research released today from Alquity and Cass Business School has found a definitive link between ESG disclosure and business performance. The analysis of over 4,400 listed companies over the period 2011-2015, revealed that companies with strong and improving ESG disclosure in emerging markets realised an annual return of 9.4%, against the benchmark performance of 5.4%.

The research also found a marked increase in disclosure of ESG information in emerging markets. Emerging market companies have increasingly disclosed more ESG information over the last five years, as a means of attracting foreign investment with the greatest improvements in the Energy and Financial Services sectors (25% and 10% respectively).

The research concludes that ESG analysis is an effective tool in identifying winning stocks because companies with high and improving ESG disclosure provide better risk-adjusted returns, especially in Emerging and Frontier markets where political and regulatory environments are less mature.

Alquity has called on the investment industry to understand the importance of ESG disclosure and noted that companies are reacting to higher levels of scrutiny from investors, regulators, commentators and the media following the global financial crisis.

Paul Robinson, founder & CEO, Alquity, commented: “The findings of this study clearly show that companies in Emerging Markets with strong and improving ESG disclosure perform better and display lower volatility than companies without. I urge Emerging Market companies, regulators, governments and investors to embrace ESG more widely in order to drive the growth of, and investment in companies that are both responsible and financially successful. ESG is a force for good and an essential tool for investing in emerging markets.”

Roberto Lampl, Head of Latin American Investments, said: “These results confirm Alquity’s view that greater transparency and disclosure of ESG criteria are vitally important in emerging and frontier markets where risks are greater due to less developed institutional oversight of businesses. Forward looking ESG provides investors with an indication of high quality businesses, especially when the disclosure is voluntary.

High profile disasters like BP’s Macondo crisis in the Gulf of Mexico, the workforce crisis and shootings at Lonmin’s South African mines and more recently the problems experienced by Volkswagen all point towards an increasing scrutiny of corporate behaviour.”