M O N T H LY U P D A T E S A N D A N A L Y S I S F R O M T H E V M W E A L T H T E A M
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The Future of
SUSTAINABLE INVESTING
» VMIL, UWIDEF Launch Scholarship Programme » Market Update & Economic Overview - September 2021
Are You Ready for the Future of Sustainable Investing
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VMIL, UWIDEF Launch Scholarship Programme
Market Update and Economic Overview
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Cleopatra Beharie Assistant Manager, Sales MEET THE TEAM
Cleopatra is a successful investment banker with more than 15 years of experience in wealth management. She is extremely passionate about providing sound, transformative financial advice and excellent customer service to her clients. Her reward is witnessing her clients achieve their financial objectives. She holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Technology, a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of the West Indies (Management) and is also certified in Securities and Portfolio Management. Cleopatra is able to balance a professional career, being a mother, wife and an active member of the community with admirable ease. She also enjoys listening to motivational audio books and gardening.
Wealth Knows
Green Bonds Green bonds is a type of fixed-income instrument that is specifically earmarked to raise money for climate and environmental friendly projects.
Are you ready for the future of
SUSTAINAB INVESTING
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W
hat is sustainable investing?
Also called socially responsible investing or ESG investing is the use of environmental, social and governance factors in making investment decisions. Many issues can be considered in this context, including harm or potential harm to the environment, reputational risks from corrupt practices or human rights abuses and even the neglect of shareholder rights. The goal is to whenever possible, use your investment dollars to promote positive societal impact, corporate responsibility, and the long-term financial returns that result from these positive ideals. Sustainable investing ensures that businesses are not judged on shortterm financial gains alone, but also on a broader picture and how they contribute to society at large.
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Why is sustainable investing important? It encourages corporations to practice sustainable principles which can provide social and financial gains long-term. However, sustainable investment does not mean that you must forfeit financial returns. Although it is impossible to guarantee returns, ESG investments can perform just as well as (or better than) non-ESG investments. According to the Harvard Business School, in 2020, 14 of 17 ESG-focused exchange-traded funds
(ETFs) outperformed the S&P 500 from January to May.
Selecting sustainable investments Do your research – Many Financial analysts around the world publish regular “best of” lists for top ESG stocks and exchange-traded funds which can assist you in identifying potential sustainable investments that fit your strategy. Investing in exchange traded funds (ETFs) are especially useful for getting exposure to a wide array of asset classes, industries, and geographical regions so that your investments are well diversified to minimize risk from exposure to one individual asset. If you prefer to do less work, don’t hesitate to reach out to your wealth advisor. They can provide you with recommendations to fit your personal financial goals. Just be aware that ESG guidelines can vary between advisors.
The future of sustainable investing We all have causes that we care about - whether it’s regarding the impact of climate change, promoting racial and gender diversity in the workplace or something else. In recent years, more investors have been focusing on how their investing dollars can further these causes, and so, sustainable investing is likely to become more popular. You need to be ready for this expected increase in demand for more sustainable investments as they stand to gain from increasing value due to this popularity. This means that if you incorporate some of these sustainable investments into your portfolio, you can also stand to benefit from the possibility of these gains.
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VMIL, UWIDEF LAUNCH
SCHOLARS
PROGRAMME
V
ictoria Mutual Investments Limited (VMIL), in collaboration with the VM Foundation, has partnered with the University of the West Indies Development and Endowment Fund (UWIDEF) to launch a scholarship programme for UWI students pursuing a degree in Business, Management, Data Analytics/Data Science and Economics.
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The scholarship, named the VM Investments Ltd. - Maurice C. Robinson Business Management and Economics Scholarship, in honour of former Chairman of VM Wealth Management Limited and accomplished attorney, Maurice Robinson, is valued at $500,000 per year for one successful student. CEO
of
VMIL,
Rezworth
Burchenson, delivering remarks at the official launch of the scholarship, said the move represents a firm commitment by the company to support the c o m m u n i t y through meaningful contributions to education and youth development, alongside the work of the VM Foundation. He said this was urgently needed, given the wide-ranging effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
SHIP
The VM Investments Ltd. - Maurice C. Robinson Business Management and Economics Scholarship is open to firstyear students with at least a 3.0 GPA, who have verifiable financial need, are active participants in extracurricular activities, and demonstrate leadership skills as well as a spirit of volunteerism and social involvement. In addition to full tuition coverage, the scholarship recipient will benefit from an internship opportunity with VMIL. The scholarship application, which is to be administered through the Office of Student Financing, UWI, will be opened in January 2022.
Carla Seaga, Executive Director of the UWIDEF, lauding VMIL on the initiative, said she was very pleased at the partnership, as both entities share common core values in their commitment to providing financial solutions to improve the lives of Jamaicans. UWIDEF is a non-profit organisation incorporated in 1990 and has over the years been the main fundraising arm for projects that support the development of the UWI, Mona Campus. UWIDEF provides financial solutions with a focus on unlocking the enormous potential of persons through research, welfare, infrastructure, and other vital forms of support.
Rezworth Burchenson (left, seated), CEO of VM Investments Limited (VMIL), and Carla Seaga, Executive Director, University of the West Indies Development and Endowment Fund (UWIDEF), sign documents to officially launch the VMIL - Maurice C. Robinson Business Management and Economics Scholarship. Looking on (standing, from left) are VMIL Chairman, Michael McMorris, and Janet Sharpe, daughter of former Chairman of VM Wealth Management Limited, Maurice Robinson, for whom the scholarship is named.
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Market Update and Economic Overiew September 2021
Fixed Income Given the momentum of the economic recovery, the US stock markets continued to surge as investors welcomed news that the Federal Reserve reinforced its support for the economy by keeping short-term interest rates at 0% - 0.25%. Read the full report
Money Market The BOJ announced an increase in the policy rate by 100 bps, which was decided by a unanimous vote by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). The new rate of 1.5%, up from 0.5%, will take effect on October 1, 2021. Read the full report
Equities The local stock market was active during the month of September, with 61 stocks trading, of which 20 advanced, 37 declined and 4 traded firm. Read the full report
Foreign Exchange At the start of the month, supply was readily available but there was limited take up. This was indicative of the trading slowdown due to the imposed lockdowns locally. However, as the lockdowns were relaxed, demand for the Greenback increased throughout the month amid limited supply. Read the full report
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