Feb 23, 2021

Exploring the S&P/ASX All Technology Index’s Remarkable First Year

As we mark the first anniversary of the S&P/ASX All Technology Index, it seemed an opportune time to look back at what can only be described as a remarkable inaugural year. After peaking on Feb. 17, 2020—just one trading day post launch—the index plunged nearly 50% over the ensuing month, bottoming out on March 23…

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Feb 23, 2021

Man Bites Dog: The Year for Active Management?

For at least five years, we’ve noticed that, despite historical performance, active managers regularly proclaim that this year will at last be the time when active management shows its value. I suspect that most advocates of indexing derive at least some guilty pleasure from observing this ritual. (I know I do.) So, we want to…

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Feb 23, 2021

Raising the Bar with the S&P 500 ESG Elite Index

Starting with the big question, what does ESG mean to investors and can S&P DJI help? Does it mean: Avoiding certain unethical or unsustainable business practices? Yes—S&P 500® Sustainability Screened Index Investing in clean energy? Yes—S&P Global Clean Energy Index Integrating ESG scores? Yes—S&P 500 ESG Index Can it mean combining best-in-class ESG scores and…

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  • ESG
Feb 22, 2021

Accessing the Expanding S&P 500 ESG Index Ecosystem

The S&P 500 ESG Index has redefined mainstream access to ESG, providing global investors with new tools designed to help them align objectives with their ESG values. Explore how this expanding ESG ecosystem is defining the sustainable core with S&P DJI’s Mona Naqvi, Horizon Investments’ Scott Ladner, Axio Financial’s Peter Horacek, and Sage Advisory’s Bob…

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  • ESG
Feb 21, 2021

Accessing the Growth of the “New China” Economy

As China’s economy matures, consumption and service-related industries are becoming structurally more important. Because the country’s stock market continues to have significant exposure to “old economy” sectors, many market participants are seeking alternative index solutions to participate more directly in China’s fastest growing areas. Launched in September 2016, the S&P New China Sectors Index provides…

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Feb 19, 2021

Low Turnover in the S&P 500 Low Volatility Index Reflects Broader Market Dynamics

It’s been almost a year since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the U.S., but despite the disruption it brought to daily life, the U.S. equity market has performed remarkably well—rallying powerfully after a sharp decline in March 2020. Through Feb. 18, 2021, the S&P 500® was up 24% since the end of 2019. In the same…

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Feb 17, 2021

From Large Cap to All Cap: Introducing the S&P MidCap 400 ESG and S&P SmallCap 600 ESG Indices

Whoever said size doesn’t matter, wasn’t talking about ESG. For years, we’ve known that larger companies tend to fare better when it comes to sustainability.1 But thanks to the launch of the S&P MidCap 400® ESG Index and S&P SmallCap 600® ESG Index, that may be about to change. As per the S&P ESG Index…

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  • Categories
  • ESG
Feb 17, 2021

S&P PACT Indices Sector Weight Explanation in Developed and U.S. Markets

In April 2020, we launched the S&P PACTTM (Paris-Aligned & Climate Transition) Indices. The indices aim to align with a 1.5oC climate scenario, the EU’s minimum standards for EU Climate Transition Benchmarks and EU Paris-Aligned Benchmarks, and the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), while maintaining a broad, diversified exposure. The…

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  • Categories
  • ESG
Feb 16, 2021

Preferred Stock and Senior Loan Solutions for Yield-Starved Investors

So far in 2021, the fixed income market certainly hasn’t been very fixed—instead posting negative returns—nor has it offered much income, with yields of just over 1%. U.S. equity and bond indices both posted strong performance in 2020, driving up asset class correlations and dropping yields to new lows. So, when the 10-year U.S. Treasury…

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Feb 16, 2021

Income-Focused Strategy Indices Show Resilience in 2020 (Part 2)

In part 1 of this blog, we saw how falling real interest rates reduce the retirement income a given account balance can support. In part 2, we focus on how interest rate risk may potentially be managed through an income-focused asset allocation. The S&P STRIDE (S&P Shift to Retirement Income and Decumulation) indices measure the…

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