AllianzGI is an industry ESG pioneer, having launched its first global socially responsible investing equity strategy nearly two decades ago. Integrated ESG is the latest development in the evolution of the firm’s market-leading responsible investing offering.
AllianzGI is committed to integrating ESG factors into all investment decisions across all asset classes. All of the EUR 524 bn of assets managed by AllianzGI are now integrated ESG, SRI, impact or ‘ESG informed’, with all of AllianzGI’s portfolio managers having access to ESG analysis via the firm’s proprietary digital research platform:
Andreas Utermann , CEO and Global CIO of Allianz Global Investors, said:
“While many firms talk about integrating ESG, we have taken a very rigorous approach in applying our ‘integrated ESG’ labelling. Each portfolio team is responsible for questioning potential holdings with low ESG ratings and for contributing to our internal ‘digital debate’ about companies’ ESG risks. This internal crowdsourcing ensures that our understanding of ESG risks is superior to simply relying on third party ratings, and allows us to challenge those companies who need it most when it comes to discharging our stewardship responsibilities.”
As well as providing an update on AllianzGI’s integrated ESG programme, the new report discusses how the firm is engaging with investee companies and fulfilling its stewardship role.
In 2017, AllianzGI voted at 7,961 shareholder meetings and on 83,488 proposals from management and shareholders, up from 5,794 and 61,618 respectively the year before. Making use of a right to vote at shareholder meetings is a key element in AllianzGI’s approach to active stewardship. In total, in 2017, AllianzGI voted against management with at least one resolution at 68 per cent of shareholder meetings held, underlining its commitment to vote against proposals that do not meet the current best market practices reflected in AllianzGI’s Global Corporate Governance Guidelines1.
Through the application of its globally consistent corporate governance policy, AllianzGI continues to observe significant regional differences in corporate governance standards around the world. In Japan AllianzGI voted against 45 per cent of all proposals, compared to 35 per cent in the US, 33 per cent in France, 28 per cent in Hong Kong, 13 per cent in Germany and just 6 per cent in the UK, reflecting the different stages of corporate governance development in Japan and the US compared to some European markets.
Earlier this year, AllianzGI received an A+ for its overarching approach to ESG strategy and Governance for the second year in a row in its annual assessment from the PRI Association (‘Principles for Responsible Investment’).
To read AllianzGI’s full responsible investment report click here.
Further information
Alastair Fairbrother +44 (0)20 3246 7432
Sarah Einig +44 (0)20 3246 7846
Vivi McDuell +44 (0)20 3246 79326
1. AllianzGI’s Global Corporate Governance Guidelines can be found here.
About Allianz Global Investors
Allianz Global Investors is a leading active asset manager with over 700 investment professionals* in 25 offices worldwide and managing around EUR 524 billion in assets for individuals, families and institutions.
Active is the most important word in our vocabulary. Active is how we create and share value with clients. We believe in solving, not selling, and in adding value beyond pure economic gain. We invest for the long term, employing our innovative investment expertise and global resources. Our goal is to ensure a superior experience for our clients, wherever they are based and whatever their investment needs.
Active is: Allianz Global Investors
Data as at 30 June 2018.
Disclaimer
The PRI assessment report is based on information reported directly by signatories. Moreover, the underlying information has not been audited by the PRI or any other party acting on its behalf.
Investing involves risk. The value of an investment and the income from it will fluctuate and investors may not get back the principal invested. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. This is a marketing communication. It is for informational purposes only. This material does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security and shall not be deemed an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. The views and opinions expressed herein, which are subject to change without notice, are those of the issuer or its affiliated companies at the time of publication. Certain data used are derived from various sources believed to be reliable, but the accuracy or completeness of the data is not guaranteed and no liability is assumed for any direct or consequential losses arising from their use. The duplication, publication, extraction or transmission of the contents, irrespective of the form, is not permitted. This material has not been reviewed by any regulatory authorities. In mainland China, it is used only as supporting material to the offshore investment products offered by commercial banks under the Qualified Domestic Institutional Investors scheme pursuant to applicable rules and regulations. This material is being distributed by the following Allianz Global Investors companies: Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC, an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); Allianz Global Investors GmbH, an investment company in Germany, authorized by the German Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (BaFin); Allianz Global Investors Asia Pacific Ltd., licensed by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission; Allianz Global Investors Singapore Ltd., regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore [Company Registration No. 199907169Z]; Allianz Global Investors Japan Co., Ltd., registered in Japan as a Financial Instruments Business Operator [Registered No. The Director of Kanto Local Finance Bureau (Financial Instruments Business Operator), No. 424, Member of Japan Investment Advisers Association] ;; and Allianz Global Investors Taiwan Ltd., licensed by Financial Supervisory Commission in Taiwan.
Summary
Allianz Global Investors, one of the world’s leading active investment managers, announced today that it is launching an Asian private credit capability. The addition of Asian private credit rounds out the geographic reach of AllianzGI’s fast-growing global private debt platform.
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