by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 11, 2022 | Business
AXA Philippines, in partnership with the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) recently organized the “Road to Net-Zero: The look inside China’s quest to champion climate action” forum, hosted and moderated by Zaid Alrifai, Head of Architas Asia. Architas is a global asset manager under the AXA Group that manages investments on behalf of institutional and retail clients. This is the last installment of a three-part webinar series that advocates responsible investing.
Clockwise from top left: Aidan Yao, Senior Emerging Asia Economist of AXA Investment Managers; Zaid Alrifai, Head of Architas Asia; and Dexter Agcaoili, AXA Philippines Investment Solutions Director.
During this Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) webinar, Aidan Yao, Senior Emerging Asia Economist of AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM) talked about how achieving the Paris Accord’s aim for carbon-neutrality can be a challenge without the immediate action of countries with high carbon dioxide emissions.
The good news is that China, the top carbon emitter, last year announced the country’s commitment to reach carbon neutrality before 2060. Their first step is to flatten the emission curve from now until 2030. Then, the transition from the peak of carbon emission to net-zero emission by the end of 2060. This undertaking comes with the need to reallocate resources from some parts of the economy and society.
“In China, green bonds helped to finance wide areas of industries that are consistent towards carbon neutrality such as the renewables, the electric vehicles, batteries, green building, and water conservation,” Yao said. Green bonds finance new or existing projects that benefit the environment and foster net-zero emissions.
China’s burgeoning green bonds market presents enormous investment opportunities for companies like AXA who have been following the principles of ESG.
As a long long-term global investor, AXA has a duty to act in the best interest of its policyholders and stakeholders. With the help of its global fund managers, Architas and AXA IM, AXA is committed to aligning its investments with the principles of ESG and integrating these factors in its investment decisions that over time would influence positive change in the companies it invests in.
As responsible investors, AXA aims to reach 25 billion euros in green investments by 2023, reduce its own carbon footprint of AXA’s general account by 20 percent by 2025. As an insurer, it is also developing insurance products that cater specifically to the needs of the vulnerable population. As an organization, it will promote awareness on climate change and the knowledge on ESG through training and further education of its employees and stakeholders.
Through the recent webinars, AXA and the ECCP hope to provide an informative platform where local investors can equip themselves with the knowledge needed to become more responsible in their investment decisions and for the fund managers to be their partners and effectively guide them through the whole process.
For more information on Responsible Investing topics, visit https://www.axa-im.com/responsible-investing or https://www.architas.com/responsible-investing/.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 20, 2021 | Events
Responsible investing is a strategy and practice of incorporating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors in one’s investment decisions. It can yield better results in the long run, not just for the investor, but also for the community at large. One of the companies that believe this is AXA, a leading global insurance brand. In recent years, the insurance company has developed a philosophy of ‘responsible investing is also good investing’ as part of its efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change.
The benefits of responsible investing were covered in “From All into All Clean,” a recent webinar organized by AXA in partnership with the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP). The webinar featured the Chief Investment Officers of AXA’s global asset managers, AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM) and Architas, who shared their experience in transitioning to a responsible investment approach and the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors they consider in their manager and fund selection process.
Chris Iggo, Chief Investment Officer of AXA IM
Jaime Arguelles, Architas’ Chief Investment Officer
Chris Iggo, Chief Investment Officer of AXA IM, said: “We want to invest in companies and in all kinds of different assets that not only deliver a good financial return but also, through their operations, are beneficial to society and to the environment. To us, responsible investing is also good investing. It’s not an additional service but at the core of what we do.”
Responsible investing is part of AXA’s global sustainability strategy that is built around climate action and inclusive protection. AXA assesses the impact of its sustainability strategy in three key areas: as an insurer, as an organization, and as an investor.
As an investor, AXA has committed to reaching €25 billion of assets in green investments by 2023 and to decrease the carbon footprint of its general account assets by 20% by 2025. Its asset managers practice an exclusions-based approach, where certain companies or sectors cannot be held in portfolios, and integrate ESG considerations in their investment processes. AXA has also developed a proprietary ESG research and scoring methodology, which has been applied to over 9,000 partner companies in its database.
“For us, ESG is a criterion that we believe enhances returns,” explained Jaime Arguelles, Architas’ Chief Investment Officer. “We believe that it is essential for us managers to have this integration right now to influence good behavior, and work towards climate change and other criteria of ESG areas.”
Webinar 2
“From All into All Clean: How your investments can support sustainable development and climate action” is the second of a three-part webinar series that will run until October. Through the webinars, AXA and the ECCP hope to provide an informative responsible investment platform where local investors can equip themselves with the knowledge needed to become more responsible in their investment decisions and for fund managers to effectively guide them through the whole process.
Webinar 3
The third webinar, “The Road to Net Zero: A look inside China’s quest to champion climate action” will be held on October 25 at 4 pm. For the full schedule and to register for the responsible investing webinars, visit the ECCP website at https://www.eccp.com. More information can also be found on the AXA Philippines Facebook page or by visiting the AXA Philippines website at https://bit.ly/AXAECCP_Oct.
For more information on responsible investing topics, check out AXA IM at https://www.axa-im.com/responsible-investing and Architas at https://www.architas.com/responsible-investing.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 16, 2018 | Business
Citi, the country’s leading foreign bank, remains positive about economic growth in the Philippines despite current global market volatility. At a series of mid-year outlook events, Citigold clients heard expert views on the current market environment and implications for investment strategy shared by Citi and guest speakers.
Manoj Varma, Consumer Banking Head of Citi
Citi’s consumer banking head Manoj Varma opened the sessions and explained the importance of understanding risks and opportunities when investing. Varma said, “Citigold clients look for trusted advice and up-to-date information, especially during times of market volatility.”
Ramon, Tejero, Citicorp Financial Services and Insurance Brokerage Inc. (CFSI) investment product head
According to Ramon Tejero, Citicorp Financial Services and Insurance Brokerage Inc. (CFSI) investment product head, market data shows that we are in the midst of the second longest and third strongest equity bull market since 1970. Recent market volatility has been primarily caused by rising interest rates, potential trade wars, and geopolitical tensions.
“Despite market concerns, there appear to be opportunities in technology, financials, healthcare, and industrials due to continued earnings growth in these sectors,” said Tejero.
The economic climate in the Philippines
In the Philippines, Citi believes the country’s economic growth momentum will be sustained in the coming years. Citi forecasts GDP will grow by 6.8% in 2018 and 6.7% in 2019. A primary source of growth will be the government’s infrastructure program.
Citi Philippines consumer banking head Manoj Varma (2nd from right) joined speakers who shared their expertise with Citigold clients at the 2018 Mid-Year Market Outlook (L-R): Kelvin Lam of Allianz Global Investors, Anis Tiasiri of J.P. Morgan Asset Management, Julian Tarrobago of ATR Asset Management Inc., and Ramon Tejero of Citicorp Financial Services and Insurance Brokerage Philippines Inc.
However, businesses and consumers are showing cautious optimism on the back of ongoing inflation concerns. Citi expects inflation to top 5.3% in the third quarter of 2018 before declining to below 5.0% in the following quarter.
“Investors can focus on diversification across asset classes and geographies and income themes while watching out for tactical opportunities,” concluded Tejero.
Citi Philippines Retail Bank head Rene Aguirre (right) welcomes clients to the 2018 Mid-Year Outlook along with Citigroup Financial Services and Insurance Brokerage Philippines president Lester Cruz.
“The world is indeed shrinking and when, where, and how we invest is largely influenced not only by domestic factors but also by global market events,” said Rene Aguirre, Citi Retail Bank head. “As trusted advisors, we help our clients grow and protect their wealth. In recent months, 10 new investment products have been launched and digital innovations continue to be developed, such as the recently unveiled next-generation Citi mobile app.”
For more information, visit www.citibank.com.ph.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 1, 2018 | Business
AXA Philippines, the leading global insurer, marked a major milestone in their transformation journey in the Philippines and Asia with the launch of their shared services hub in Manila.
The hub is envisioned to help fulfill the company’s future-ready business strategy in the region and aims to be the IT hub for AXA in Asia, and later to Japan, serving as centers of excellence in actuarial product pricing and valuation.
Photo shows (first row; L-R) Gordon Watson, AXA CEO of Asian Markets; Nicolas Galey, ambassador of the French Republic to the Philippines; Marc Blottiere, regional COO and CEO of Philippines and Malaysia Shared Services; Mary Harriet Abordo, PEZA deputy director general; (second row; L-R) Rahul Hora, AXA Philippines president and CEO; Dirk Marzluf, AXA Group chief information officer, and Laurent Estrade, French embassy economic counsellor.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 23, 2018 | Business
- Underlying earnings per share up 7% to Euro 2.40
- Dividend of Euro 1.26 per share, up 9% from FY16, to be proposed by the Board of Directors
- Solvency II ratio of 205%, up 8 points from December 31, 2016
“AXA delivered another year of strong operating performance, with a 7% increase in underlying earnings per share and our highest ever reported net income”, said Thomas Buberl, Chief Executive Officer of AXA.
“AXA’s underlying earnings and net income both crossed the Euro 6 billion mark for the first time in the company’s history, with all major geographies contributing to this achievement. Our new business value was up 8%. Health was our fastest growing business in 2017, with revenues and earnings growing at 6% and 11% respectively.”
“In the context of the continued successful delivery of our Ambition 2020 plan and our balance sheet strength, the Board of Directors is proposing a dividend of Euro 1.26 per share, an increase of 9% from last year, which corresponds to a payout ratio of 49%.”
“In line with our vision to empower people to live a better life, we enhanced our Payer to Partner capabilities with the acquisition of Maestro Health. We continue to lead our industry in the fight against climate change, notably by quadrupling our 2020 green investments commitment.”
“I would like to thank our customers for their trust, and our teams and distributors for their commitment to our vision, as we strive together towards sustained long-term growth and continued value for all of our stakeholders.”
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