UTS Finance Masterclass

Investment context:

Fundamental company analysis has traditionally been focused on returns to capital employed, its momentum and likely duration. Fundamental security analysis has been historically focused on the relationship between a stock’s underlying financial characteristics and its relationship to the broader investment universe from a valuation perspective. Both of these processes have been determined within the context of overwhelmingly financial measures. In contrast, capital allocation decisions are becoming increasingly influenced by broader qualitative parameters such as environmental (E) and social (S) impacts. Although it is worth noting that greater quantitative rigour is being applied to environmental and social outcomes.

In addition, the success and sustainability of a broader set of corporate outcomes is being increasingly viewed through the lens of governance (G) frameworks. Such frameworks include reference to a set of stakeholder implications that are more broad than the traditional shareholder perspective.

In this ESG discussion series we seek to investigate and evaluate trends in capital allocation and the impacts of broadening the set of performance measures. The issues to be considered include: (1) the progression of company analysis beyond purely financial outcomes; and (2) the shift from simple wealth impacts from the individual shareholder to the inclusion of wellbeing implications for the community as a whole.

This masterclass will be presented by:

David Langford, FCPA (Director Long Lake Research and UTSB Adjunct Professor)

Tim King, CFA, (Chief Investment Officer at Melior Investment Management)

Financial industry guests:

Pablo Berrutti (Head of Responsible Investment Asia Pacific for Colonial First State Global Asset Management & Deputy Chair, Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA))

Dr Laurie Berg, UTS Law School

Topics covered:

• How does “S” manifest itself in risk and opportunities?
• Key elements of “S” – including:
  • non-compliance with labour laws
  • modern slavery
  • whistleblowing
  • safety
  • gender equality
  • pay dispersion
  • staff turnover 
  • community impact
• What are the consequences for fiduciaries?

The CFA Society Sydney has determined that this program qualifies for 1.5 CE credit hour(s) under the guidelines of the CFA Institute Continuing Education Program. If you are a CFA Institute member, use the member app to record your CE credit for your participation in this presentation.

For event questions, please email gerhard.hambusch@uts.edu.au.

Register here