Global news and business information provider Dow Jones announced today the launch of its sustainability data, including sustainability scores and sentiment on thousands of publicly traded companies, aimed at enabling investors and asset managers to understand company ESG performance and impact, and make sustainable investment decisions.
Components of the new data set include ESG scores and sentiment for over 6,000 companies rated across 26 sustainability categories, along with industry, category and country scoring. The scoring model is aligned with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) standards, and uses a uniquely news-driven methodology, combining company-disclosed data with news from thousands of global sources.
According to Dow Jones, the creation of the sustainability scoring methodology was led by the Wall Street Journal editorial team (WSJ is published by Dow Jones), and the data model was co-developed with ESG data and technology provider Arabesque S-Ray.
Joe Cappitelli, General Manager of Dow Jones Newswires, said:
“We’ve seen a significant surge in sustainable investing as the next generation of investors wants their portfolios to have a positive impact on the world in addition to financial gains. Financial professionals are looking for a comprehensive view of companies’ ESG practices; however, what they currently find are opaque data sources, lacking in detail and up-to-date information. Our innovative model supplements company self-reporting with news data to provide trusted, timely ESG sentiment and scores that can help portfolio managers optimize strategy and design products for the future of investing.”
Dow Jones stated that its sustainability data will also help financial firms provide greater transparency about how they are accounting for sustainability risks and integrating ESG into the investment process, as regulatory requirements increase.
Glenn Hall, Editor, Professional News at Dow Jones, said:
“We are seeing a wave of new policy and regulatory changes in the sustainable investment space that is driving demand for better data. As investors navigate these changes and increasingly consider more nonfinancial factors, they need a robust and dynamic way of evaluating how well companies are managing the impact they may have on people and the planet. Our vast news and data offering gives asset managers the facts and insights they need to more effectively manage their portfolios and stay ahead of new regulatory requirements.”
