RI Academy Launches Advanced Course on Enhanced Financial Analysis, Integrating ESG Factors into Investment Decisions
How investors think about company value has shifted dramatically in the past decade. There are countless examples of shareholder value being destroyed (or built) by factors traditionally outside the realms of financial analysis—such as News Corp, Lehman Brothers, TEPCO, and BP, to name just a few. As a result, environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) factors are increasingly being considered as mainstream elements in comprehensive investment decision-making.
In response to this shift, the RI Academy today announces the launch of its first advanced course, Enhanced Financial Analysis, aimed at helping investors improve the practice of integrating ESG factors into fundamental investment analysis and stock valuation.
The online course provides candidates with a detailed understanding of the role of sustainability in finance and the impact of ESG factors on investment decision-making. It builds the skills necessary to identify new value drivers in financial analysis and apply practical tools to modeling and stock valuation.
Developed in collaboration with RobecoSAM— a leading global investment specialist focused exclusively on sustainability investing—this course is targeted at investment professionals. RobecoSAM Senior Analyst Cécile Churet said, “There is a lot of talk about ‘ESG integration’ in the marketplace, but comparatively little guidance on how to proceed concretely. With this educational module, we aim to show that ‘integrated analysis’ is a natural extension of fundamental analysis and a useful way to stress-test the robustness of companies’ long-term competitive advantage.”
Responsible Investment Association Australasia CEO Simon O’Connor said, “Every day we see another example of an environmental, social, or governance factor impacting directly on the performance of companies, but all too often the realization comes when damage has been done. This course helps investors get serious about integrating these factors into mainstream investment processes and valuations to address these risks before they impact shareholder returns.”
The business case for considering ESG risks has long been established, and this course will help investment practitioners—from CIOs, portfolio managers, and trustees, to corporates, asset consultants, and beyond—to go beyond the consideration of ESG factors to their integration in core investment processes. The RI Academy’s foundational course, Responsible Investment Essentials, has set the industry standard for training in responsible investment and is now reaching financial professionals in over 25 countries, across 80 of the world’s largest pension funds.
Media Enquiries:
Claudia Guinness, Marketing and Communications Coordinator
+61 2 8228 8104
Notes for the Editor:
About the RI Academy:
The RI Academy is the world’s first online training platform for financial services, investment, and capital markets professionals to understand ESG issues and responsible investment. The RI Academy courses are developed by the industry, for the industry, and are completely web-based, allowing candidates to start and finish at their own pace. Please visit the RI Academy website or view our Enhanced Financial Analysis flyer for information on the course.
Further enquiries can be forwarded to the Academy’s Communications & Marketing Coordinator, Claudia Guinness, at claudiag@responsibleinvestment.org or +61 2 8228 8104. The RI Academy is an initiative of the Responsible Investment Association Australasia.
About RobecoSAM:
RobecoSAM is an investment specialist focused exclusively on sustainability investing. Its offerings include asset management, indices, private equity, engagement, impact analysis, sustainability assessments, and benchmarking services. Together with S&P Dow Jones Indices, RobecoSAM publishes the globally recognized Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI).
Founded in 1995 out of the conviction that a commitment to corporate sustainability enhances a company’s capacity to prosper, RobecoSAM believes this approach creates competitive advantages and stakeholder value. Headquartered in Zurich, RobecoSAM employs over 100 professionals. As of December 31, 2012, RobecoSAM’s assets under management, advice, and license amounted to USD 11.4 billion. For more information on RobecoSAM, visit their website here.
About the contributors
About the speakers
RI Academy Launches Advanced Course on Enhanced Financial Analysis, Integrating ESG Factors into Investment Decisions
How investors think about company value has shifted dramatically in the past decade. There are countless examples of shareholder value being destroyed (or built) by factors traditionally outside the realms of financial analysis—such as News Corp, Lehman Brothers, TEPCO, and BP, to name just a few. As a result, environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) factors are increasingly being considered as mainstream elements in comprehensive investment decision-making.
In response to this shift, the RI Academy today announces the launch of its first advanced course, Enhanced Financial Analysis, aimed at helping investors improve the practice of integrating ESG factors into fundamental investment analysis and stock valuation.
The online course provides candidates with a detailed understanding of the role of sustainability in finance and the impact of ESG factors on investment decision-making. It builds the skills necessary to identify new value drivers in financial analysis and apply practical tools to modeling and stock valuation.
Developed in collaboration with RobecoSAM— a leading global investment specialist focused exclusively on sustainability investing—this course is targeted at investment professionals. RobecoSAM Senior Analyst Cécile Churet said, “There is a lot of talk about ‘ESG integration’ in the marketplace, but comparatively little guidance on how to proceed concretely. With this educational module, we aim to show that ‘integrated analysis’ is a natural extension of fundamental analysis and a useful way to stress-test the robustness of companies’ long-term competitive advantage.”
Responsible Investment Association Australasia CEO Simon O’Connor said, “Every day we see another example of an environmental, social, or governance factor impacting directly on the performance of companies, but all too often the realization comes when damage has been done. This course helps investors get serious about integrating these factors into mainstream investment processes and valuations to address these risks before they impact shareholder returns.”
The business case for considering ESG risks has long been established, and this course will help investment practitioners—from CIOs, portfolio managers, and trustees, to corporates, asset consultants, and beyond—to go beyond the consideration of ESG factors to their integration in core investment processes. The RI Academy’s foundational course, Responsible Investment Essentials, has set the industry standard for training in responsible investment and is now reaching financial professionals in over 25 countries, across 80 of the world’s largest pension funds.
Media Enquiries:
Claudia Guinness, Marketing and Communications Coordinator
+61 2 8228 8104
Notes for the Editor:
About the RI Academy:
The RI Academy is the world’s first online training platform for financial services, investment, and capital markets professionals to understand ESG issues and responsible investment. The RI Academy courses are developed by the industry, for the industry, and are completely web-based, allowing candidates to start and finish at their own pace. Please visit the RI Academy website or view our Enhanced Financial Analysis flyer for information on the course.
Further enquiries can be forwarded to the Academy’s Communications & Marketing Coordinator, Claudia Guinness, at claudiag@responsibleinvestment.org or +61 2 8228 8104. The RI Academy is an initiative of the Responsible Investment Association Australasia.
About RobecoSAM:
RobecoSAM is an investment specialist focused exclusively on sustainability investing. Its offerings include asset management, indices, private equity, engagement, impact analysis, sustainability assessments, and benchmarking services. Together with S&P Dow Jones Indices, RobecoSAM publishes the globally recognized Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI).
Founded in 1995 out of the conviction that a commitment to corporate sustainability enhances a company’s capacity to prosper, RobecoSAM believes this approach creates competitive advantages and stakeholder value. Headquartered in Zurich, RobecoSAM employs over 100 professionals. As of December 31, 2012, RobecoSAM’s assets under management, advice, and license amounted to USD 11.4 billion. For more information on RobecoSAM, visit their website here.
